Steam pressing iron



y 20, 1952 A. SUSSMAN 2,597,763

STEAM PRESSING IRON Filed June 24. 1949 2 SHEETS SHEET 1 IN VEN TOR. ARTHUR. SUSSMAN BY 777pa% f m A'FTOQNEYS A. SUSSMAN STEAM PRESSING IRON FIGS.

Patented May 20, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in steam irons and novel means for feeding water under a uniform pressure to said irons.

I provide a steam iron of the type which has internal heating elements for converting water fed thereto into steam. The iron also has apertures in the sole plate thereof, through which the steam is evenly distributed to the material being pressed.

It is well known that in irons of this type, the use of distilled water is a practical necessity since undistilled tap water in many localities contains calcium compounds or other impurities which form a harmful deposit within the heating channels of the iron upon evaporation of the water. It is therefore common practice to distribute large tanks of distilled water for use with steam irons, the tanks being provided with hand pumps for increasing the pressure at which the water is fed to the iron. Since the tanks must be refilled at constant intervals, and the pressure therein frequently raised, the use of these tanks has proved expensive and time-consuming.

It is an object of my invention, therefore, to

provide an arrangement for automatically feeding water at a constant pressure to the steam Another object of the invention is the provision of feeding means for steam irons which can be operated at little, if any, expense to the user, since the feeding means contemplate the utilization of steam condensate which is generally regarded as waste material.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of feeding means of the character described in which water is fed to the steam iron in a preheated state.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a steam iron which is especially adapted to operate efficiently in conjunction with the feeding means of my invention, said iron having a heating element integrally cast within the base thereof, making the manufacture of said iron more economical, and the iron more resistant to damage in use.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a steam iron which is compact in size, containing only two rows of heating channels, all of said channels being accessible from the outside of the iron to afiord convenient cleaning thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings which illustrate certain preferred embodiments, it being understood that the above statement of the objects of my invention is intended generally to explain the same without limiting it in any manner.

Fig. 1 is a schematic elevational view of a steam system provided with means for feeding water to a steam iron;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the steam iron of my invention with portions of the body being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view thereof with portions of the iron being shown in section;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the iron base with the cover plate disconnected therefrom and illustrating the heating element in detail;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the iron;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-1 of Fig. 2.

Referring in detail to the drawings, Fig. 1 i1- lustrates schematically the arrangement and method I have devised for feeding water under constant pressure to steam irons of the type shown in Figs. 2-7. According to this method, I employ a conventional steam supply system such as is utilized to produce and feed steam to pressing machines, steam blocks, and other equipment ordinarily found in factories, tailor shops, and similar establishments. It is fairly common practice to tap live steam from these systems for supplying steam irons. The use of live steam has, however, proved disadvantageous in small establishments in which just enough steam is generated to operatively supply a pressing machine or other single piece of steam equipment. Consequently, the steam iron could not be used simultaneously with the other steam equipment.

According'to my invention, I utilize a conventional steam system which has the usual boiler B for producing steam, a steam pipe S for transporting the steam to the steam machinery, and a return conduit C through which condensed water is carried from the steam machinery. In the drawing, the water is shown as returning to the boiler, an arrangement which usually requires the aid of pumping mechanism. Generally, however, this condensate is regarded as purely waste matter and is piped into an external drain. At the end of the return conduit C, I provide a tank T for holding an appreciable amount of water, for example, one gallon which is enough to supply water to the iron for a full day under normal operation. A short conduit D leads from the upper end of the tank T to the boiler B, and is positioned to return any overflow from tank T to said boiler. Manually operable valves M and V regulate the flow of steam and water respectively in the system.

A feed pipe F leads from the lower end of tank T to the steam iron I. A pressure reduction valve R is operatively connected intermediate the ends of said pipe F. Valve R is of the conven tional type which may be pre-set to produce a maximum desired water pressure, and which has a manually operable handle H for clecreasmg said pressure or hutting off the flow of water entirely.

As the steam leaves the pressing machinery 1t condenses within the return conduit C, producing distilled water which is free of impurities. When valve V is opened, condensate travels through the return conduit C to tank T being under pressure of the live steam which is constantly emitted from the boiler. Enough condensate may enter the tank T to fill said tank, the remainder entering the boiler B.

In operation, when the boiler has begun to generate steam, the valve M is opened while the valve V is closed. The valves are left in this condition until sufiicient steam pressure has been built up, at which time valve V is slowly opened and any steam condensate formed within return conduit C is tapped off through the spigot of said valve V. As soon as steam appears at valve V, said valve is closed, and the steam system is ready for operation. The condensate then forms in the return conduit C and flows into tank T. To allow this flow, the pipe D is provided with a non-return valve N adjacent boiler 13 or inside boiler B, which valve N prevents steam or water from leaving said boiler. When tank T has become filled, condensate A'v'lll accumulate in the vertical arm of conduit C. When the steam machinery is in use, the steam pressure in the boiler B is decreased, and the accumulated water in return conduit C, seeking to find its own level, will flow through pipe D into boiler B until the Water levels in said boiler and said conduit C are equal.

It is to be noted that the condensate stored in tank T is under considerable pressure of the steam constantly flowing through pipe S, and through the steam equipment and return conduit C. The condensate is therefore forced from tank T, through pipe F and into iron I, the intermediate pressure reduction valve R maintaining the water pressure at a uniform level. The valve R may be pre-set by turning handle H to provide any desired maximum pressure, as for instance, a pressure of 25 pounds. If during operation of the iron, this pressure should prove excessive, the pressure of the condensate may be gradually decreasedby turning handle H.

The valve M provides means for shutting off the flow of steam through the steam line S when desired, as for cleaning, repairing, etc.

It may thus be seen that not only is distilled and purified water supplied to the iron I at a constant and regulated pressure, but the water is supplied at a temperature slightly lower than the boiling point, so that only a slight heating period is necessary to reccnvert the condensate into steam. I have thus provided an arrangement which is more effective than existing water feeding devices, and which, moreover, is more economical in that waste material is utilized and is automatically supplied under uniform pressure.

The iron I may be any type of conventional steam iron which has internal heating elements for converting water to steam, although for most economical and efficient operation, I have devised a new steam iron which is illustrated in Figs. 2-7, and which is more economical in manufacture than steam irons presently in use.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the steam iron, designated generally by reference numeral I0, comprises a base portion II and a cover plate I2 which is attached thereto by a pair of bolts I3. Base I I is cast with a pair of integral upstanding posts I4, each of which posts I l has a verticallyextending threaded hole for receiving the threaded ends of bolts IS. The base II also has an upstanding rear portion II ct which is slightly higher than the upright posts I i. The cover plate I2 is hollow, and is shaped to fit over, and cover, the front portion of the base, the rear end of cover plate I2 abutting the front surface of the upstanding rear portion I Ia of base II. The cover plate I2 is of such a height that the bottom surface of said cover plate rests upon the upstanding posts I4 when the cover plate is placed in position upon the base II. In this position, as shown in Fig. 2, the upper surface of the cover plate I2 is on a plane with the upper surface of the upstanding rear portion I Id of base I I, so that th upper edge of the iron presents a smooth surface.

The bolts I3 not only secure the cover plate l2 to the upstanding posts I I of base II, but also clamp the ears It of a handle I5 to said cover plate. Said handle I5 is provided with an insu1at ed hand-grip I? which is made of wood, plastic, or similar heat-resistant composition, and is shaped to fit the palm of the hand.

Base portion II is integrally cast with a bulbous-shaped housing I3 which protrudes upwardly from the top surface of said base II. A heating element I 9 which comprises a continuous strip of resistance material wound about a core of insulating material and covered by insulating material, is cast within the housing I3 so that it is completely enclosed therein. Terminal rods 20 and 2| which are secured to the ends of the enclosed heating element I9 extend through openings at each respective end of housing I8, as shown in Fig. 4.

The rear raised portion Ila of base II is cut away at the center to provide a depressed portion orrecess I I?) into which the terminal rods 20 and 2| extend, so that they are accessible from the top and. rear of base II.

Terminal rods 20 and ZI have threaded end portions which are sized to receive respective nuts 22 and 23. The nut 23 also connects a socket terminal 25 to the heating element I9. A second socket terminal 23 is secured by a bolt 26 to an insulating block 3!) which is located between the socket terminals 2%, 25 and the base II; and is secured to said base by any suitable means. Bolt 26 also serves to connect one end of a lead wire 21 to socket terminal 25. The other end of said wire 21 is connected to a terminal of a thermostatic unit 28 which is located within a well He which is provided in the upper wall of base II. A lead wire 29 electrically connects the other terminal of thermostatic unit 28 to heating element terminal 29, the bolt 22 acting as the means of attachment. Said socket terminals 2%, 25 are of the conventional type having bent upstanding lugs positioned to electrically contact respective socket prongs (not shown) which extend upwardly through the cover plate I2 and are insulated from said cover plate. The socket prongs are spaced to receive a conventional electric plug P which is connected by a wire W to a suitable source of electric current and which is shown in inserted position in Figs. 2 and 3.

The lower portion of socket terminals 24 and 25 are recessed within the depressed portion Nb of base I I. Cover plate I2 has a narrow rear end portion which is shaped to cover this depressed portion Hb, the rear side edges of cover plate 12 abutting the raised portion Ila. of base II. As shown in Fig. 3, the rear end portion of cover plate l2 fits between the spaced sides of the raised portion Ila, with the top surface of said cover plate l2 in flush alinement with the top surface of raised portion Ila. Thus, the top surface of raised portion Ila is left exposed, while the depressed portion l lb is completely covered.

When the plug P is attached, and electric current introduced to the socket terminals 24 and 2 5, the path of said current may be described as follows: the current enters socket terminal 25,

travels to lead wire 21, through thermostatic I element 28, to lead wire 29, thence to heating element terminal 26, through heating element [9, to heating element terminal 2|, and out through socket terminal 24, thus completing the circuit.

It may thus be seen that the thermostatic element 28 is connected in series with the heating element [9, so that the current passing through said heating element may be regulated. Said thermostatic element 28 has an upstanding shaft 3| which extends through an opening in the cover plate l2 and has a finger control 32 located exteriorly of said cover plate and below the handgrip 11, as shown in Fig. 2. Shaft 3| provides the means whereby the thermostatic element 23 may be manually regulated to shut ofi the current through the heating element l9 when a pre-selected maximum temperature of the iron has been reached, and. reopen the circuit automatically when the temperature drops below this maximum limit.

Base II is provided with a number of heating channels formed in the body thereof and arranged in two vertically-spaced rows. The upper row of heating channels consists of a large V- shaped channel 33 and a smaller V-shaped channel 34 located in the space between the bores of channel 33 and disposed parallel to said channel 33. Channels 33 and 34 extend longitudinally of the base II, with the apex of the V located at the front of the base and the spaced ends of the bores extending through the rear wall of the base, as shown in Fig. 6. Channels 33 and 34 are located directly below heating element l9 which is shaped to follow generally the contour of said channels, so that the greatest amount of heat generated by said heating element is transported to said channels. Channel 33 communicates with the upper surface of the iron by means of a vertical bore 35 which extends through the rear raised portion Ila of base II, as shown in Fig. 3. A flexible inlet pipe 36 leading to the source of water is connected to the open end of vertical bore 35 by a coupling 31.

The other end of channel 33 communicates with a vertical bore 38 which leads to a well 39 formed in the top surface of the rear raised portion I la of base I I. A control valve 40 covers the well 39 so that the steam entering said well 39 must pass through said control valve 43. Control valve 40 has a depending, hollow pipe 40a which communicates with the inner recess thereof. This hollow pipe 40a is externally threaded and screws into the internally-threaded top portion of bore 38 as shown in Fig. 3, so that control 6 valve 40 is rigidly held in position covering well 39. Control valve 40 has an outlet aperture (not shown) which communicates with well 39. A bore 4| connects the well 39 with one end of the small V-shaped channel 34.

It may be thus seen that steam or water travelling from channel 33 to channel 34 must pass through control valve 40. Valve 40 may be of any conventional type, although I prefer to use the control valve described in my prior U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,263,532, issused November 18, 1941. The valve has a manually-operable lever 4017 which is pivotally connected to a valve car 400, as shown in Fig. 2. The free end of said lever 40b is normally biased to a position proximate the front end of the insulated hand-grip I! where it is in a position to be pivoted downwardly by the thumb of the hand operating the iron. When the lever 40b is in its uppermost position, passage of steam or water through the valve is totally obstructed. When the lever 40b is pivoted downward, steam or water may pass freely through said valve from channel 33 to channel 34.

As was previously stated, one end of steam channel 34 communicates with bore 4|. The other end of steam channel 34 is connected to the end of channel 46 in the lower row by a vertical bore 42, a shown in Fig. 3. Bore 42 extends through channel 34 and continues upwardly extending through the top wall of base I I. A bolt 43 in a seating 44 closes off the top of bore 42 to the passage of steam. Bolt 43 may be removed for the purpose of cleaning bore 42.

Channel 46 is a feed channel which functions to supply steam simultaneously and evenly to both bores of channel 45 which is also located in the lower row. Channel 45, as shown in Fig. '7 is V-shaped, and conforms in size to channel 33, being located directly below said channel 33. The ends of channel 45, as well as the rear end of feed channel 46 extend through the rear wall of base I I.

Feed chamiel 46 extends parallel to one bore of V-shaped channel 45, the front end of said feed channel 45 communicating with the other bore of channel 45, as is clearly shown in Fig. 7, at a point proximate but spaced from the apex or junction of the bores of channel 45. A crosschannel 41 connects feed channel 46 with parallel bore of channel 45 at a point also proximate but spaced from said junction.

Cross-channel 41 extends through the bore of channel 45 and continues to the outer surface of base H, communicating with an aperture 48 in the side wall of base II. A plug 49 made of a suitable metal or alloy having a low melting point is inserted within said aperture in base II and partially within cross-channel 41 to seal off the outer end of said cross-channel 41.

A pressure plate 50 is removably secured against the back wall of base I l by a pair of bolts 56. Said pressure plate 50 conforms in shape to the rear wall of base II and has a smooth inner surface which is adapted to be held firmly pressed against said rear wall by bolts 5|. The lower end of said pressure plate 50 is recessed as shown at 50a in Fig. 2, to receive a layer of soft insulating material 53, such as asbestos. The layer 53 is firmly clamped over the channel openings in the rear wall of base ll, thus acting as a gasket to seal off the ends of said channels, so that no steam may escape therefrom.

All of the heating channels are located beneath housing l8 which encloses heating element [9, said heating element being located directly above most dissipated. As a result, the pressure of channels 33 and 34, as shown in Fig. 2. Since the heating element I9 is cast within the body of base I I, the heat generated travels downwardly through the heat conducting metal constituting said base directly to the heating channels.

The bottom Wall Hd of base II, which is the sole plate of the iron is provided with a series of apertures 56 which are arranged in a V-shape with the point of the V located at the front of the iron, the apertures 56 being in vertical alinement with steam channel 45. These apertures 56 extend upwardly through base H to communicate with the V-shaped steam channel 45 located in the lower row of channels and provide the means whereby the steam is evenly distributed over the material being pressed.

Each of the channels contain metal springs 57 which are shown in part in the drawings for convenience of illustration, although it is to be understood that said springs 51 preferably extend the length of said channels. These springs 51 serve to insure the maximum heat transfer to the steam and water passing through the channels.

The metal spring contained Within the lower V-shaped channel 45 acts as a bafile to break up the steam escaping through the apertures 55, and to prevent large volumes of steam from escaping through any one of the said apertures 56.

The operation of the iron is as follows:

When Water is fed under pressure into the steam inlet pipe 36, it travels down vertical channel 35 and enters the end of channel 33. In travelling through channel 33 it is subjected to the heat emitted by heating element is, and at some point along the course of its travel, it is partially converted into steam. The steam then enters bore 33, travels upwardly through tube 62 a, and into control valve 48. If the lever deb of said control valve is depressed, the steam and/or water will pass through said valve into the well 39 and through bore 4| from which it will enter channel 34. Travelling through channel 35 the Water is totally converted into steam and the steam then flows through bore 42 and enters feed channel 45 from which it is distributed directly to one bore of steam channel 85 and through cross channel l? to the other bore of channel 45, as shown by the arrows in Fig. '7. The steam escapes through the apertures 55 in the sole plate lid of the iron and is distributed over the material to be pressed.

As was previously described, the spring 5? contained within the channel 45 breaks up the steam as it flows through said channel and affords even distribution of the steam to the apertures 56. To further insure even distribution, the apertures 53 are formed of varying sizes, the apertures at the front of the iron, or at the point of the V being smaller, and gradually increasing in size as they approach the rear of the iron. Since the steam travels through the channel :35 from the front to the rear thereof, the apertures at the front of the iron are smaller and thus offer a greater resistance to the steam where the pressure of the steam is strongest. Conversely, the apertures are largest and offer the least resistance to the steam at that point where the steam pressure has been the steam leaving each of the apertures is made constant and uniform.

It is to be noted that the outer upper edge of the base H is provided with a plurality of narrow, upstanding projections 59, which are spaced aroundthe sides of said base II. The sides of the cover plate 12 in its attached position abut the upper edges of these projections 59, so that the hollow cover plate I2 contacts base [I only at the small areas presented by said projections 59, as Well as at the front point of the base and at the upstanding posts [4 and the rear upstanding portion Ila. of the base. Consequently, the greater upper area of the base II is spaced from the hollow cover plate [2, the body of air contained in the hollow of the cover plate acting as an insulating layer and causing all but a small amount of heat to travel downwardly from the heating element l9, through the solid heat-conducting metal body of base H and into contact with the water contained in the heating channels. The spaces 86 between the projections 59 communicate with the outer atmosphere and provide means whereby air may be circulated within the hollow of cover plate E2. The handle I5 is thus maintained at a cool temperature which promotes the comfort of the user.

The forward ends of the bores of channel 33 adjacent their juncture point are connected by a cross-channel 6! which further extends outwardly and communicates with an aperture 62 in the side Wall of base I l. Aperture 62 is closed oil by a suitable metal plug 63 which seals off the end of cross-channel 6| in such a manner that no steam may escape therefrom. This crosschannel 5| is similar to cross channel 47 previously described, and serves a similar function. Since both cross-channels s? and GI extend through the side Wall of base ll, they may be cleaned by simply removing the respective contained plugs 49 and 83, and inserting a suitable brush in the channels. It should be noted here that all of the longitudinally extending steam channels may be similarly cleaned by removing the back plate 50, thereby exposing the open ends of said channels at the rear wall of base I 1. Any point in everyone of the channels may thus be conveniently reached by inserting a straight brush through the respective open end of the channel. This feature of the invention solves a troublesome problem found in conventional steam irons of this type which are usually provided with angular couplings at the ends of the steam channels, these couplings making cleaning difficult if not impossible.

The cross-channels 4i and BI also serve an ad ditional purpose. It has been found that scale deposits and other impurities tend to collect at the point of the v-shaped channels 33 and 55. If these deposits are left to accumulate, they may clog the steam channels at their angular junction points, thus interfering with the flow of steam, or blocking off the passage of steam entirely. The cross-channel provides a passageway between the bores of channel 33, should the pointed juncture of said channel be blocked. The cross-channel il similarly provides means whereby steam may be evenly and simultaneously fed to both bores of steam channel 45, should the angular front end of said channel be clogged.

The steam iron 2!! and its associated parts have been drawn substantially to scale. I prefer to make the steam channels of such a length that the water and steam in passing through the iron travel a total distance of only 27 inches. This is due to the fact that I have provided only two rows of steam channels, and have kept the number of steam channels to a minimum. In the steam irons found in the prior art, the number of steam channels is appreciably greater, as

exemplified by the iron described in my aforementioned U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,263,532, in which the steam travels through four vertical rows of steam channels and over a distance of 41 inches. I am thus able to make the steam iron of the present invention in a more compact form which is also more economical to manufacture. In addition, the provision of a cast-in heating element reduces the cost of manufacture and reduces the possibility of injury to the heating element.

This iron is particularly adapted to operate efiiciently in conjunction with the feeding arrangement previously described, in which the water is pre-heated before it is fed into the iron.

The heating element is sufficient, however, to convert even cold water into steam during the passage of said water through the heating channels. The thermostat in this case may be regulated to shut off the electric current at a relatively higher temperature of the base.

Although the iron has been shown containing a valve means dd for controlling the flow of steam, it is to be understood that the iron may be made without any valve, in which case the steam control is effected through suitable means in the water supply system. Such a modification is fully shown and described in my aforesaid U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,263,532. For instance, in the system previously described, the handle H of pressure reduction valve R may be turned until the flow of water to the iron has ceased entirely. Naturally, this latter means is not as effective as operation of the valve 40 which is located near the handle of the iron for onehand operation and which operates to shut off the flow of steam immediately.

While a preferred embodiment of my invention has been shown and described herein, it is obvious that numerous omissions, changes and additions may be made in the invention, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Iclaim:

1. A steam iron comprising a base member containing a Water inlet aperture, a heating element, a water heating channel communicating with said inlet aperture, a steam producing channel communicating with said water heating channel, a feed channel communicating with said steam producing channel, and a steamdistributing channel, the feed channel communicating with the front end of said steam producing channel, said water heating channel and said steam producing channel being located proximate said heating element, said base member having a lower sole plate which contains a series of apertures arranged in rows which are in registry with said steam distributing channel, said apertures being axially aligned with and communicating with the steam distributing channel, said apertures varying in size, being shorter at the front end of said steam distributing channel and becoming progressively longer as they approach the rear end of said steam distributing channel, whereby to insure even distribution of steam through said apertures.

2. A steam iron comprising a base having a heating element, a water inlet opening, and a series of channels extending longitudinally through said base and being arranged in two vertically spaced rows, the top row of channels comprising a V-shaped water-heating channel extending substantially the entire length of said base, and a relatively smaller V-shaped steam producing channel located between the bores of said water-heating channel, said water heating channel being connected at one end to said steamproducing channel and at the other end to said water inlet opening, said heating element being located in an integral housing on the top surface of said base, said housing being wider than the channels of said top row and being located directly thereabove and in substantial registry therewith the bottom row of channels comprising a V-shaped steam-distributing channel and a feed channel communicating with both bores of said steam-distributing channel and being nositioned to feed steam evenly and simultaneously to bothof said bores, said base also having a sole plate with a series of apertures therein, said apertures being arranged substantially in a V-shape conforming in size to the V-shaped steam-distributing channel, said apertures communicating with said steam-distributing channel, whereby steam is distributed through said sole plate.

3. A steam iron according to claim 2, in which said V-shaped channels are arranged with the apex of the V at the front of said base, the rear ends of said channels opening through the rear wall of said base, the rear end of said feed channel also opening through the rear Wall of said base, said rear wall being covered by a pressure plate removably and rigidly secured thereto, said pressure plate clamping a resilient pad against the rear openings of said channels and sealing off the ends of said channels to the passage of steam and water.

4. A steam iron according to claim 2, in which the feed channel communicates with the front end of the steam-distributing channel, and in which the apertures in the sole plate are axially aligned with said steam-distributing channel and are relatively small at the front of the base and gradually increase in size at the rear end of said base.

5. For use in supplying steam to material being pressed, a steam iron comprising a base integrally cast with a heating element contained therein, and having a water inlet opening and a plurality of channels located within the body thereof, said channels being arranged in two Vertically-spaced rows, the upper row containing a relatively large, V-shaped, water heating channel connected to said inlet opening, a smaller, V-shaped, steam producing channel located between the arms of said water heating channel and communicating therewith, and a first cross-channel connecting the legs of said water heating channel adjacent the juncture point thereof, and opening into the side wall of said base, said first cross-channel having means removably inserted therein for sealing off the open end thereof, said lower row of channels comprising a V-shaped steam distributing channel, a feed channel communicating directly with one leg of said steam distributing channel at a point adjacent the front end thereof, and a second cross-channel connecting said feed channel with the other leg of said steam distributing channel at a point adjacent the front end thereof, said feed channel being connected to said steam producing channel, said V-shaped channels being disposed with the apex of the V pointing to the front of said base, said second cross-channel opening into the side wall of said iron and having sealing means removably inserted in the open end thereof, said base also having a sole plate containing a series of apertures opening directly into said steam distributing channel, being axially aligned therewith, and

being arranged in a pattern conforming in shape to the shape of said steam distributing channel and registering therewith, the apertures at the front of the base being relatively small, said apertures increasing progressively in size toward the rear of said base.

ARTHUR SUSSMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,045,179 Price Nov. 26, 1912 1,389,434 Buff Aug. 30, 1921 1,694,224 Lepler Dec. 4, 1928 1,737,047 Hofiman Nov. 26, 1929 1,842,784 Houston Jan. 26, 1932 Number 15 Number Name Date Tavender Aug. 30, 1932 Schaub Dec. 12, 1933 Dowinsky Mar. 5, 1935 Mitzman Nov. 19, 1935 Fielding Dec. 31, 1935 Deems Jan. 14, 1936 Sussman Nov. 18, 1941 Tisnerat et a1 Jan. 13, 1942 Sussman Nov. 9, 1943 Waage Mar. 9, 1948 Morton May 18, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Dec. 29, 1932 Great Britain Aug. 29, 1939 Germany Oct. 7, 1932 

